Arranging Rhythm Section Parts Explained

Have you ever wondered why some songs just seem to have everything perfectly in place, with nothing competing and each instrument contributing a key part to the overall sound? Well, you've come to the right place! Join Groove3 expert Eli Krantzberg for a fun, comprehensive arranging video course on the often-overlooked subject of arranging for your rhythm section. Whether it's considering the subject of range when dealing with guitars and keys, doubling guitar and bass riffs, experimenting with note length on the bass guitar, or other important concepts, Eli covers it all here, including plenty of musical examples along the way—not to mention closing out with a built-from-scratch track—so you can hear all these ideas in context. These videos are designed for anyone who would like their arrangements to have more clarity, impact, and groove!

Videos
• What This Series Is About (01:42) - Get an overview of what will be covered in this video series.
• Simple Rhythms (06:47) - Learn about some basic, simple rhythms between kick drum and bass guitar that can be used as the foundation of many pop rhythm section grooves.
• Short vs Long Bass Notes (06:57) - Explore the use of simple syncopations involving sixteenth notes, with the bass and kick drum still playing mainly together, and how the length of the bass notes affects the overall feel and groove.
• Drums & Bass Playing Separate Rhythms (06:56) - Hear the change in feel, groove, and syncopation resulting from the drums and bass playing separate rhythms rather than sticking close together.
• Combining Busy & Simple Parts (06:38) - Discover how to approach having one rhythm section instrument play more of a predominant role while the others play a supportive role without getting in the way.
• Bass Ghost Notes (06:37) - Hear an example of ?separate but equal? bass and drums that combine the various techniques examined so far. Also see how adding ghost (or dead) notes to the bass helps propel the groove and add interest to the part.
• Drum Ghost Notes (06:17) - Discover how the short, quiet snare drum (or bass drum) notes played in the spaces between the main drum hits help drive the feel of the rhythm section.
• Fills: Three Approaches (08:54) - Explore three different approaches to using fills in your rhythm section to add interest and help delineate sections in the song form.
• Dropouts (06:02) - Learn how having the bass and/or drums drop out for short intervals at unexpected places is used for different degrees of dramatic effect.
• Punches (04:02) - Hear how strategically placed punches at various places within phrases add interest and grab the listener?s attention.
• Keys (10:43) - Follow along as various rhythmic approaches are explored on an electric piano part accompanying bass, drums, and vocals.
• Keys & Bass Ostinatos (05:46) - Explore three different examples of this arrangement device that features the left hand of the piano and the bass playing rhythmic and/or melodic figures together.
• Rhythm Guitar (06:30) - Hear some typical rhythm guitar patterns often used in various styles of popular music.
• Arranging Guitar & Keys (05:09) - Take a look at some ideas combining guitar and piano parts that don?t get in each other?s way by using combinations of different rhythms and ranges.
• Bass & Guitar Doubling (03:03) - Hear how the sound of a bass part doubled with a heavy, single-note electric guitar part adds weight and gravitas to the overall rhythm section feel. In the example used, organ is substituted for piano.
• Putting It All Together (11:52) - Follow along as the various techniques and approaches looked at throughout this series are called upon to build up a new track, step by step, from scratch.